Govt 'whitewashing' bombing

News > Local News

Democrats say reaction can bruise Thai image

Published: 17 Feb 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The government has come under criticism for trying to downplay the Bangkok bombing that injured one Iranian suspect and four bystanders.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the government to come to terms with the fact that the bombs on Sukhumvit Soi 71 and two nearby locations had attracted global attention due to extensive media coverage.

Other countries were watching to see what measures would be implemented to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety but the government was apparently preoccupied with a damage control campaign, Mr Abhisit said.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

android
Post : 2,244
Send message

Discussion 6 : 18 Feb 2012 at 18.176
Post this to my Facebook
It is wise for the PT led government not to arouse panic in the country. The security officers had already tightened up security measures such as those in the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
siamitude
Post : 796
Send message

Discussion 5 : 18 Feb 2012 at 10.235
Post this to my Facebook
The outside world is has catched up with Thailand... still a long way for Thailand to catch up with the world.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bluebkk
Post : 1,356
Send message

Discussion 4 : 17 Feb 2012 at 12.504
Post this to my Facebook
By not labeling this bomb attack as terrorism, the Thai government has given a new dimension to the word IDIOCY.....!
But maybe we should understand this , since they came to power through a red terror occupation of the capital!!!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
dinosr
Post : 3
Send message

Discussion 3 : 17 Feb 2012 at 10.213
Post this to my Facebook
DPM Yutthasak: "Evidence shows the targets were individuals, so a terrorist act has been ruled out as of now." They were individuals who were see interacting as a group but since when is the number of individuals involved the determining factor in whether it is a terrorist act or not. Individuals committing or attempting to committ a terrorist become terrorists by their actions .... not who they targeted, what country they are from or who they think they represent.

Just because someone is unsucessful in killing someone does not exhonorate them from the crime of "attempted murder"
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
upena
Post : 1,390
Send message

Discussion 2 : 17 Feb 2012 at 07.382
Post this to my Facebook
Abhisit is right, but he should have done the same when he was PM.

An attack on an individual can be an act of terrorism - it does not have to be large scale. If these guys had not blown themselves up, and had attached one of the devices to the car of a Diplomat, would not the explosion be considered an act of terrorism?

"Thailand banks on tourism for foreign exchange income, with about 12 million visitors coming to the country last year."

Nice to see that this tourism figure is closer to the truth than the 19 million that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports claimed for 2011.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
nui
Post : 532
Send message

Discussion 1 : 17 Feb 2012 at 06.041
Post this to my Facebook
Maybe there is a different definition of terrorism in the Thai language. But it is irrelevant. It does not matter, whether individuals or groups were the targets. The fact is, that these suspects built bombs in Thailand and the bombs exploded in Bangkok and the suspects are from the Middle East. Another fact is that Thai security agencies had ignored warnings from many embassies and told the public just a few days ago that Bangkok is safe and everything is under control. Instead of downplaying the bombings, the government should tell the public that it will increase security measures and try its best to avoid another such incident.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Govt 'whitewashing' bombing | Bangkok Post: news